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Home » Gluten Free Recipes » Gluten Free Meatballs Without Breadcrumbs

Gluten Free Meatballs Without Breadcrumbs

Published: Jan 22, 2020 by Wendy Polisi Modified: May 3, 2020 · 749 words. · About 4 minutes to read this article. This post may contain affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

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If you are looking for a family meal that is simple and delicious, these cheesy Gluten Free Meatballs without Breadcrumbs are just perfect. Made without egg, these meatballs are kid-friendly, keto, and easy to make. You can even finish them in the slow cooker!

Overhead shot of gluten free meatballs without breadcrumbs served with marinara and zoodles

Gluten Free Meatballs without Breadcrumbs Deserve to Become a Habit

I always love this time of year when the weather finally cools off enough that I can enjoy comfort food.

Does it get any more comforting than Spaghetti and Meatballs?

Today, I've got Gluten Free Meatballs that the whole family is going to love.

I promise you won't miss the gluten. Or the eggs!

The secret weapon? Cheese.

It is no secret that I love cheese.

It makes everything better!

It also helps you skip the eggs and breadcrumbs and still have a gluten free meatball that holds together and is delicious.

Will Meatballs Fall Apart Without Breadcrumbs?

Meatballs will fall apart more easily without breadcrumbs. However, you can easily make meatballs without breadcrumbs using the proper method.

The key is to brown them on the stovetop so that a crust forms and then to fully cook them in the oven before adding them to your sauce.

Will Meatballs Fall Apart Without Breadcrumbs?

If you have a slow cooker with a browning function, brown them in the slow cooker and then cover with marinara and cook on low for 2 to 4 hours. 

Because you are adding the sauce before the meatballs are cooked through, they will be more likely to fall apart using this method.  The key is to make sure that you have a nice brown crust before adding the sauce.

Variations

  • For spicer breadcrumbs, add ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper.
  • Add in ½ cup fresh chopped basil and parsley.
  • Add ½ cup each of chopped onion and mushrooms.
  • Saute 5 ounces of baby spinach. Chop. Press through a fine strainer to remove moisture. Add to the meat mixture.

Serving Suggestions

  • Serve over zucchini noodles or cooked spaghetti squash.
  • Serve over mashed cauliflower.
  • Use in Meatball Subs.
  • Use to make Meatball Pizza

Tools to Make Gluten Free Meatballs:

  • Skillet
  • Baking Sheet
  • Bowls

How to Make Meatballs without Breadcrumbs

Here is a visual step by step, or you can go to the recipe card to get the complete recipe and measurements.

1. Combine the ingredients in a large bowl.

Ground beef, cheese, garlic, and seasonings in a red bowl.

2. Form your meatballs.

Baking sheet of meatballs made out on a lined baking sheet.

3. Cook the meatballs in a skillet until a crust forms.

Meatballs being browned in a cast iron skillet.

4. Transfer to a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees until cooked through. (About 15 minutes.)

Baking sheet of cooked Gluten Free Meatballs Without Breadcrumbs.

5. Once the meatballs are cooked through you can add sauce.

Photo of a white plate full of meatballs over a bed of zucchini noodles.
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You May Also Like:

  • Smokey Quinoa Meatballs with Creamy Tomato Sauce prove that you don't have to have meat for a hearty and comforting meal!
  • Quinoa Turkey Meatballs are a healthy option that you will turn to again and again.
  • Greek Meatballs with Feta Sauce are the perfect dinner in my book. You are going to want to put this sauce on everything.
  • Slow Cooker Chipotle Meatballs are ridiculously flavor-packed and work just as well as an appetizer as they do for a main course.
Print Recipe
5 from 8 votes

Gluten Free Meatballs Without Breadcrumbs

If you are looking for a family meal that is simple and delicious, these cheesy Gluten Free Meatballs without Breadcrumbs are just perfect. Made without egg, these meatballs are kid-friendly, keto, and easy to make. You can even finish them in the slow cooker!
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time15 mins
Total Time25 mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 6
Calories: 487kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 1 ½ cups Asiago cheese aged
  • 2 tablespoon minced garlic more or less to taste
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
  • Avocado oil for cooking
  • Pasta Marinara and Zucchini Noodles for serving

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • In a large bowl combine ground beef, Asiago cheese, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  • Form into meatballs. (I used a 2 tablespoon measure.)
  • Heat a small amount of avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the meatballs, working in batches until browned on all sides.
  • Transfer to a baking sheet, and cook for 15 minutes, until cooked through.

Nutrition

Calories: 487kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 124mg | Sodium: 889mg | Potassium: 441mg | Vitamin A: 195IU | Vitamin C: 0.8mg | Calcium: 333mg | Iron: 3.3mg

More Gluten Free Recipes With Beef to Try:

  • This Keto Meatloaf is cheesy and so delicious! You will want to make it again and again.
  • Ground Beef and Broccoli is a gluten-free and dairy-free meal that never gets old.
« Roasted Sweet Potato Salad
Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas »

About Wendy Polisi

Hi, I’m Wendy! I’m a cook, author, blogger, natural health enthusiast…and most importantly a mom. My boys are 10 & 11 and my late life princess is 3. Firm believers in lifestyle design, our family has been location independent since 2008. Join me to read about our adventures in the kitchen…and out!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Claudia Krusch

    November 21, 2017 at 11:38 pm

    These Gluten Free Meatballs look so delicious and easy to make. I am always looking for new gluten free recipes to try. I will have to add this recipe to my meal plan for next week.

    Reply
  2. Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle

    November 22, 2017 at 12:54 am

    5 stars
    Those meatballs sound so good! The best thing about these is that they can be used in so many different dishes or just as an appetizer.

    Reply
  3. Bill Sweeney

    November 22, 2017 at 1:05 am

    5 stars
    You know, I didn't know until recently that most meatballs aren't gluten free. I never once thought about the gluten of the breadcrumbs.

    Reply
  4. Danielle

    November 22, 2017 at 1:13 am

    5 stars
    The best thing you can ever put in meatballs is cheese. Lots and lots of cheese. Om nom nom.

    Reply
  5. Becky Willis

    November 22, 2017 at 1:39 am

    This looks very good. I will be sharing this with my friend who has a son who cannot eat items with gluten in them.

    Reply
  6. Victoria Heckstall

    November 22, 2017 at 1:57 pm

    5 stars
    This really looks delicious! I prefer healthy recipe and this is perfect! I'll have to try this.

    Reply
  7. Ruth I.

    November 22, 2017 at 4:23 pm

    Oh wow! It's interesting to know these cheese facts. I also love cheese and pasta and would like to try this recipe!

    Reply
  8. Cherri Megasko

    November 22, 2017 at 5:36 pm

    Those are two of my favorite cheeses as well. My best friend is gluten-free and I'll be visiting her right after the new year. I'll have to make these for her.

    Reply
  9. Up Run for Life Healthy Lifestyle Blog

    November 22, 2017 at 7:07 pm

    5 stars
    We love cheese too. My youngest loves spaghetti and meatballs so I ended up buying the ones in the freezer section. I wasn't super impressed but it made my son happy so I was all for it. Your meatballs sound so much better. Plus, who can pass up cheese? 🙂

    Reply
  10. Clara

    November 23, 2017 at 4:02 am

    I have a warm spot in my heart for cheese too. This meatball recipe sounds delicious and I can see myself making it.

    Reply
  11. Elizabeth L

    November 23, 2017 at 2:58 pm

    5 stars
    These look really yummy and I am totally a fan of the fact that they are also Gluten Free.

    Reply
  12. Ricci

    November 24, 2017 at 2:20 am

    These meatballs sound super yummy! I will have to try them for myself soon!! YUM!!

    Reply
  13. GiGi Eats

    November 24, 2017 at 7:09 pm

    Im not sure why people think GRAIN is necessary for meatballs! THEY TASTE AMAZING without bread crumbs!!

    Reply
    • Edna

      November 27, 2017 at 12:35 am

      5 stars
      I think that since years ago ground beef was fatty unlike today. I think the breadcrumbs were to help absorb the excess fat so the balls would not fall apart. The egg was also to give them extra "hold". That's my guess anyway.

      Reply
  14. David Elliott

    November 25, 2017 at 12:07 am

    I will have to try this. I would never have thought of using cheese to put together these meatballs like this. I do think this would make for a delicious meatball though, and you might get a little bit of crunch with it as well.

    Reply
  15. Sues

    November 25, 2017 at 6:57 pm

    5 stars
    These meatballs look awesome and I love learning a bit more about cheese, too 🙂 The more cheese, the better!!

    Reply
  16. Teri Grottke

    April 19, 2018 at 2:04 pm

    The nutritional information doesn’t say how many meatballs are in a serving. It would be helpful to know this especially because it seems to contain a high amount of fat & sodium as currently listed.

    Reply
    • Wendy Polisi

      April 20, 2018 at 7:13 pm

      That would depend on how big you make them! If you are carefully tracking, weight your meat and divide it into 6 portions and then you will know exactly the nutrients for each. I don't fear good fat, as long as I am having it with vegetables rather than lots of carbs.

      Reply

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Hi, I’m Wendy! I’m a cook, author, blogger, natural health enthusiast…and most importantly a mom. My boys are 10 & 11 and my late life princess is 3. Firm believers in lifestyle design, our family has been location independent since 2008. Join me to read about our adventures in the kitchen…and out! Read More…

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